Tickets are on sale today for WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-745-3000, on-line at Ticketmaster.com  or in person at the Allstate Arena box office.  For discounts on groups of 15 or more, please call GroupTix at 877-447-7849.

Start your summer planning now!

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular will perform 8 performances at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, Wednesday, July 28 – Sunday, Aug. 1.

The production originated in Australia, where after years of planning, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS came to life at Sydney’s Acer Arena in January 2007.   The show proved to be such a sensation that this North American tour was fast-tracked.  It began a short three months after completing its sold-out engagements in Australia. Since that time, the show’s two companies have played to 4.4 million people worldwide and generated over $210 million dollars in overall ticket sales.

For more information, visit www.dinosaurlive.com.

It’s a child’s dream come true!

Nickelodeon’s latest musical adventure,  “STORYTIME LIVE,” brings four of the top-rated preschool shows together for an exciting musical adventure at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., March 12-14. Hosted by Nickelodeon characters Moose and Zee, the show features “The Backyardigans,” “Wonder Pets!,” “Ni Hao, Kai-lan” and “Dora the Explorer.”

Tickets just went on sale and are currently available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Rosemont Theatre box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.  For groups of 15 or more please call GroupTix at 1-877-447-7849.

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Rosemont Theatre
5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018 Map | More Info…

Centre East presents the Grammy Award-winning group, The Klezmatics, in “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah!”   the last day of the Jewish holiday Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The show intermingles Klezmer music with American folk and bluegrass and is perfect for all ages.

Klezmatics are globally renowned world music superstars and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy Award and you’ve probably seen and/or heard them on HBO’s “Sex and the City,” NPR’s “Prairie Home Companion” and a whole lot of other places. They include:

• Frank London who Paul Wieder/JUF Interactive hails as “Arguably the most important Jewish horn player since Joshua picked up a shofar;”
• Matt Darriau (clarinets, sax, kaval) who has recorded and performed with David Byrne, Marc Ribot, Roberto Rodriguez, Ben Folds Five and many others in the New York scene;
• Lisa Gutkin’s (fiddler/composer) who has appeared with The Roches, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega to name a few;
• Paul Morrissett (bass, tsimbl) is a collector and player of Eastern European and Scandinavian folk instruments and records and performs on an impressive array of ethnic strings, winds and reeds;
• Lorin Sklamberg (lead vocals, accordion, guitar, piano) a founding member of The Klezmatics, has been heard on numerous recordings and live shows, solo and in collaboration with such artists as Itzhak Perlman, Paradox Trio, Hip Hop Hoodios Emmylou Harris, Tracy Grammer and Neil Sedaka;
• and Richie Barshay (drums), who has been a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2003 and was recently singled out as “a player to watch” by JazzTimes magazine.

So how did Woody Guthrie get inspired to write for Hanukkah?  In 1942, Woody Guthrie, through his mother-in-law, Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, became involved with the Coney Island Jewish community and decided to write some songs about Hanukkah, Jewish history and spiritual life. After his death in 1967, the songs sat forgotten in archives for decades. But in 1998 the songs were discovered by Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, and she asked the Klezmatics exclusively to write new music for the lyrics. The result, “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah!,”

Tickets are $48.  Free parking available. For more info, call 847-673-6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

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North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60077 Map | More Info…

American Blues Theatre continues with their “Soldier Spotlights” at performances of this year’s critically acclaimed staging of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!” The five servicemen spotlighted this week include:

Thursday, 12/10 8 p.m.: 1^st Lt. Milton Greenfield, Army.  Greenfield’s heroic efforts during World War II earned him nine medals including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Purple Heart. He saved the lives of three soldiers while under heavy fire and witnessed the loss of his entire crew during a single battle.

Saturday 12/12 5 p.m.: John “Fred” Sharpe, Sgt., 1^st class, Army.

As part of the 3275th Quartermaster Service Company, his first assignment was to set up and receive units in Normandy. He later went on to participate in the Battle of The Bulge. After the war, he became mentor to many troubled youth as a counselor at Sullivan House, coached Little League baseball and volunteered at Bryn Mawr Elementary School.

American Blues Theatre presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!” now through Dec. 27.  All performances take place in the new Studio at Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.  For tickets or more information call the Victory Gardens box office at 773-871-3000 or visit victorygardens.org.

Centre East, at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie, is giving budget conscious holiday shoppers a special treat with its first ever Black Friday Sale. Beginning 10 a.m. on the busiest shopping day of the year, Fri., Nov. 27, anyone who uses code FRIDAY when purchasing single tickets will receive a 20% discount off regular ticket price for the 17 events remaining in the 2009-2010 season. Read the rest of this entry »

As you recover from the post-turkey shopping melee this coming weekend, think about going out to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie to see Cirque Le Masque, an amazing acrobatic circus!

With death defying feats, spectacular effects and performers seemingly oblivious to the forces of gravity, Cirque Le Masque is filled with non-stop excitement for the whole family! What a great way get away from the in-laws and out of the house!

To get this special offer of 4 tickets for $99, use code 4PACK online at northshorecenter.org or call 847.673.6300. Some restrictions apply, contact the box office for full details.

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North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60077 Map | More Info…

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Every child will be a winner at the 3^rd annual “Turkey Trot” family festival held Sunday, Nov. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview, Ill.

Morning of family fun includes: games, arts and crafts, live musical entertainment from Stand and Clap,bounce houses, food and exercise!

That’s right, as children of all ages will walk, or ‘trot,’ a course around Habitat Park, the Museum’s outdoor exhibit. Each participant will receive a runner number, stickers for each lap they complete and a golden turkey trophy for their efforts!! Plus if you participate in the “Turkey Trot,” you get FREE access to the Museum that day.

Read the rest of this entry »

Saturday, Oct. 31 …All dressed up with kid in tow but looking for somewhere  to go during the day? Swing by the Royal George Theater, 1641 N. Halsted St. for the noon or 3 p.m. performance of Chicago Children’s Theatre’s hit musical “The Hundred Dresses.” Old Man Svenson will give you a great scare and if you haven’t decided on your costume yet you might get an idea or two from the character Willie Bounce. After the show you can meet the cast in the lobby who, in the spirit of the day, will be handing out treats. Plus, as a special treat for Chicago this Halloween there’s a special offer: one child (12 and under) ticket free with purchase of each full-price adult ticket! Folks should request “Treat4” when ordering. Offer applies to Saturday, Oct. 31 only (subject to availability; restrictions apply).

For tickets or more info  call the Royal George Box Office, 312.988.9000.